Public Protector Pressured to Probe Cape Town Tender Fraud

KEY POINTS

• Fadiel Adams urges the Public Protector to investigate tender fraud.
• City officials are accused of awarding R1 billion ($53.6 million) in fraudulent contracts.
• The corruption scandal implicates politicians, officials, and alleged gang leaders.

National Coloured Congress (NCC) president Fadiel Adams has formally requested the Public Protector’s office to investigate widespread allegations of tender fraud, corruption, and abuse of power in the City of Cape Town.

This comes as former Human Settlements Mayco Committee Member Malusi Booi, alleged gang boss Ralph Stanfield, and several others appeared before the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court in connection with a R1 billion ($53.6 million) fraud case linked to the city’s Human Settlements Directorate.

According to court documents, the accused allegedly misused public funds meant for housing projects and engaged in criminal activities, including murder and organized corruption. The prosecutors seek more time to study 100 bank statements and digital records, pushing the court proceedings to March 20, 2025.

During ongoing court proceedings, Adams sent a formal letter to Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka which highlighted his description of a widespread corrupt culture in the city administration.

Allegations of corruption and power abuse

In his letter, Adams accused city officials of deliberately covering up misconduct and blocking transparency efforts. He pointed to the appointment of former police officer Petrus ‘Robbie’ Roberts as the Director of Policing in Cape Town, an appointment he claimed was unfair and illegal.

He noted that Annalene Marais, the then-Deputy Chief of Metro Police, had challenged the appointment’s legality and was later awarded R300,000 ($16,080) in damages. 

An internal report by law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr also found the appointment process flawed, recommending disciplinary action against officials responsible. However, according to Adams, the city council suppressed the report instead of taking corrective measures.

The concerns Adams raised beyond the labor conditions included whistleblower intimidation, labor malpractice, and secretive financial activities. 

According to IOL, he cited allegations that city officials awarded questionable tenders worth R1 billion ($53.6 million) to criminal syndicates, including alleged underworld figure Stanfield and his wife, Nicole Johnson.

Adams also raised concerns about the Strandfontein ‘concentration camp’ scandal, where the city spent R50 million on irregular contracts during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, allegedly benefiting private contractors without oversight.

Public Protector confirms receipt of complaint

Following Adams’ submission, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka confirmed that her office had received the complaint and that it was being processed. 

She received hundreds of comparable complaints each day but assured Adams that her team would provide thorough examination for his case.

Adams urged the Public Protector to launch an immediate and thorough investigation, stating that the corruption in Cape Town’s administration must be exposed and addressed.

He criticized Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, calling him the “Mayor of Cover-Ups”, and accused his administration of obstructing opposition efforts to access key financial records.

The growing public pressure has failed to receive any formal response from Mayor Hill-Lewis and his official colleagues about the accusations.